Rotel RT-09
Just Tested
DACs
Chord Electronics QBD76 HDSD
Chord’s QBD76 HDSD is a top-class converter that delivers a brilliant sound from a well-built package. It has plenty of visual appeal, too
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Hi-fi speakers
B&W 685
There are more talented rivals on the scene, but the veterans are enduring greats
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Home Cinema in a Box
Panasonic SC-BTT460
Cracking value for an all-in-one home cinema system with only a few spec and performance gripes qualifying our praise
Read
In this month's mag
July 2013
SUPERTEST: Soundbar solutions £250-£450
GROUP TEST: 46-47in smart TVs
GROUP TEST: Standmount speakers £350-£450
© 2013 Haymarket Publishing
Comments
Actually it does play 16-bit Flac files quite happily, and aiff files as well, and they sound glorious; even giving my 15 year old Meridian CD player a run for its money. Compressed files can sound, well, compressed. Although hi-bit rate (320k) internet radio stations do sound better.
It will apparently play higher bit-rate files as well if streamed directly from a computer through the ethernet port, although I've not tested this yet, and whether the computer needs to be plugged directly into the unit or via a wired network isn't yet clear.
Basically if a file can be played on Windows Media player 12, it can be played through the Rotel.
FLAC omission is surprising.
just incomprehensible ...
I agree, that omission instantly wipes it off the shortlist.